100 Do's and Don'ts for Photographers

I teach photographers at all levels, from beginner to experienced professionals. When you're teaching you learn such a lot.

I've tried to capture 100 suggestions that will help any photographer, especially those working with models.

These range from good technique tips, to how to work with models and how to make the most of your money.

PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Do shoot around 100mm lens - it is the most flattering focal length for people
2. Don't shoot with a 50mm lens - you will get perspective distortion
3. Do use wide-angles when you are being creative - not by accident
4. Do watch out for what's in the background
5. Do learn more about composition than the rule of thirds
6. Do learn how to a do a minimum of retouching and post-processing
7. Don't spot colour - it is so old fashioned!
8. Do make backups, make sure at least one backup is off-site
9. Do have a shoot and packing checklist - use it!

PORTFOLIO

10. Do only show your best work
11. Do build a following on flickr, 500px, Purpleport and the many other photography websites
12. Do credit all the models, make-up artists, studios, designers etc with your images
13. Don't mix all your photographic subjects, nudes, butterflies and steam engines is confusing
14. Do try and show a variety of work within your specialist area
15. Don't fret about people stealing your images
16. Do photograph men from time to time
17. Don't bother boasting about being "award winning" or "published" - it seems every photographer is at least one of these
18. Do be specific about publications if you have them
19. Don't bother telling models about your equipment, they don't care

POSING

20. Don't just be a "taker" of photographers - "make" them too
21. Do explain what sort of image you want to create
22. Do give models ideas, almost like short stories, this helps them pose and be creative
23. Do show models images on the back of the camera, but not every shot
24. Don't use gratuitous props - especially guitars
25. Do learn the tricks of posing and the common posing styles
26. Don't let hands turn into bunches of bananas
27. Don't let knees or elbows point towards the camera
28. Don't let the eyes turn further than the nose - you will get just the whites of the eyes
29. Do learn about handling facial and body defects and how to shoot them
30. Do tell the model how much of the pose is seen in camera - full length, waist up, head and shoulders
31. Do use different camera heights to make the post of different poses and proximity to the model

LEARNING

32. Do make sure you are learning all the time
33. Do practice.
34. Do go on workshops
35. Do listen to camera club judges, discard what isn't useful to you
36. Do get as many critiques of your images from professionals/experts as you can
37. Do experiment
38. Do emulate other photographs, but don't copy them
39. Do look at a lot of images from many sources
40. Do look at your failures and learn how not to repeat them
41. Do mix it up: shoot indoors, outdoors, location, studio
42. Do understand how to use natural light and studio light
43. Don't bother pursuing letters after your name for the sake of it - only for the learning experience
44. Don't get despondent when you think your images are not improving - we all plateua then improve
45. Don't get flustered over the many camera settings you may have, you probably need less than 10 of them

WORKING WITH MODELS

I also spoke to a lot of models to get their side of things too. What really surprised me was the number of suggestions relating to men being jerks.

Really, starting with "Don't Touch!" to much more aggressive and sexualised activities. So, I make no apology for having to be so explicit on models behalf on telling photographers what not to do.

Some photographers nailed it by summarising it as "Don't be a dick!" and thought it was obvious. All I can say is that models don't feel the same way and that instructions to guys need to be very carefully spelt out. So while I am no fan of the sentiment "all photographers are perverts" clearly some really don't know how to behave. So if you see a photographer over-stepping any of these marks - tell them.

46. Don't Touch
47. DO learn how to make your subject feel comfortable - especially at the start of a shoot
48. Do talk, be chatty and have a good humour
49. Don't flirt
50. Do compliment
51. Don't get bashful
52. Do give constructive criticism (or advice)
53. Don't mistake on-set chemistry for anything that might apply afterwards
54. Do give feedback on poses and adjustments, I can't see how it looks from the camera
55. Do show images during the shoot
56. Do communicate through the shoot, tell me when I need to adjust the pose etc
57. Do watch out for flaws, tell me when hair or clothes need fixing
58. Don't try and fix those flaws yourself, tell me and I will fix them
59. Don't push the boundaries
60. Do stop if a model asks you to
61. Don't try and turn a previously arranged clothed shoot into a nude one
62. Don't just keep constantly clicking, give us a chance to move and pose
63. Do let models have time to touch up make-up
64. Do pay for good models, you get much better pictures for a small increase in money
65. Do provide tea and cake breaks
66. Do provide images from TF shoots in a reasonable time and a reasonable number

BEING PROFESSIONAL

67. Don't push levels
68. Do be professional
69. Do be respectful
70. Do maintain a safe environment
71. Don't make the model change in front of you
72. Do make sure your model is warm
73. Do provide a self contained and warm changing area
74. Don't brag or say how "lucky" we are to shoot with you
75. Don't compare to other models
76. Don't forget, just because you are paying, models do not have to do everything you say
77. Don't Touch!!!

RELATIONSHIPS

78. Don't talk about the boner you have during a nude shoot
79. Don't say your wife doesn't know about this shoot
80. Don't tell me about the sex troubles you are having with your wife
81. Don't tell me you want to leave your wife for me
82. Don't ask about boyfriends, partners etc
83. Don't talk about your sex life - full stop.
84. Don't ask for personal email addresses, postal addresses etc without a reason
85. Don't make passes, ask for a date, or be suggestive
86. Don't ask for a happy ending

MONEY

87. Don't expect to make money
88. Do pay your model promptly
89. Don't buy equipment assuming it will make you better
90. Don't fall into the "Gear Acquisition Syndrome"
91. Do buy the best lenses you can, they are worth more than your camera
92. Do ask for photo credits when published, don't be surprised if you don't get them
93. Don't do commercial work for free
94. Don't do commercial work "for the exposure"
95. Don't expect to get published
96. Don't just start shooting weddings - learn how first - find out if you can - weddings are very hard
97. Do be honest with the tax man
98. Do keep a record of all your expenses - they are tax deductible - even months later if you go professional
99. Do keep a record of all your sales
100. Do get insurance if you are taking money

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